What would we do? Jesus says, “Come, follow me.” What do we do next? O.K, Jesus, just give me a couple of days. I have to get my bags packed. I have to give a notice at work. I have to say goodbye to ….. What would we do? What do we do? I notice a couple of things about those I read about who were among the first to follow Jesus. Let’s read Matthew 4 starting in verse 18.
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” They left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore He saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And He called them to come, too. They immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
Notice two things. One, both sets of brothers followed a man they hardly knew… immediately. Second, James and John left their father “holding the net” so to speak. Now I admit that these men may have heard about Jesus from John the Baptist, but they didn’t know what we do today. They didn’t know He was God’s Son. They didn’t know what great works and words He possessed. We know this and much more, but some still lag behind. Why do we hesitate? We all know that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. We also know that no one has any greater love than to lay down His life for His friend. Some of us still don’t have the love or devotion to simply follow. Jesus just asks for our love, the rest will come naturally.
This is verbalized so well in the lyrics of “You Can Have Me” by Sidewalk Prophets:
“If I saw You on the street, and You said come and follow Me; but, I had to give up everything… all I once held dear and all of my dreams. Would I love You enough to let go, or would my love run dry when You asked for my life?
When did love become unmoving? When did love become unconsuming? Forgetting what the world has told me. Father of love, You can have me, You can have me.”
Can God, through Jesus, have you today? Are you willing to take the step and follow? I am. Let’s all join together in one giant leap to really follow Jesus today!
God Bless!
"When Jesus Says Come" and "Unbelief" are both so down-to-earth and meaningful in our lives today. I gain new insight about passages each time I read your blog, and I am so proud of the beautiful Christian you are. Thanks again for the wonderful devotionals!
ReplyDeleteOur God is so sweet. I love how you put it...'Jesus just ask for our love. The rest will come naturally'. My biggest struggle is against myself trying to 'be' something... struggling to 'do' things 'right' and 'be' 'good'. You reminded me of the sweetness of Christ in that He gives everything I need to improve my charachter, accomplish anything I accomplish...freely, not even because of MY love, but because of His. The fruits of the Spirit comes to me freely as I put my trust in His love. So...that is my hearts desire!...to put my faith in His love and to learn more about His love. yae! that is just too cool...makes me gushinoverwithlove feelin. heehee tender!
ReplyDelete